International cell phones

International cell phones are basically the cell phones which operate in all frequency bands and allow you to work with any service provider in the world. In other words, international compatibility is the major important factor in international cell phones. Most cellular companies in the world use two main networks: the CDMA network and the GSM network. And in general, phones made to work for one network do not work in the other. Additionally even phones working on same network but different frequencies would not work either. So an international cell phone should be able to switch network and work on different frequencies.

Most European, African and Asian cell phones work on GSM network, but American cell phones generally work on CDMA network. American GSM phones again work on a different frequency than European counterparts. So if you are travelling overseas you need to have a tri-band or quad-bank international cell phone or should have an unlocked international cell phone which is unlocked for a set period of time and you can change the SIM card. Unlocking your cell phone by the service provider enables your phone to send signals on different frequency. You get a password for the new SIM card and this gives you a local phone number thus making the local calls inexpensive in comparison with high roaming charges and many providers allow free incoming calls, even the international ones.

So, international cell phones are those cell phones which will work anywhere in the world. Now, what will be the most affordable way to get inexpensive airtime and is there any strategy for giving you a number which could work anywhere in the world. If you are an international traveler, your international cell phone should provide you a cheap international cell phone service with the best option available. Changing your SIM card is an option which can save you a lot of money on international cell phone calling. GSM SIM cards are easily removable and replaceable. The SIM card in your mobile is a memory chip abbreviated as Subscriber Information Module, which stores your account information, your phone number, your phone directory, messages and other settings. Now, in an unlocked phone you can swap the SIM memory chip from one service provider for a SIM chip from another service provider of the country you are travelling.

This way you get a local phone number for some prepaid amount and if you spend the initial prepaid amount, you can buy additional talk time. Since in most countries the caller of a cell phone pays for the call probably your incoming calls will be free.

Another option to upgrade your cell phone to an international cell phone is simply to ask your phone company to update your account to allow for international roaming, once done, you can use it in a foreign country as easily as in your own. But this option is costly if you use your international cell phone while travelling. Against this some companies provide a callback service. While abroad, you do not use the long distance service instead dial an assigned number and hang up when rung. This triggers it to call the number programmed in the callback system. When you answer the callback's call, you are given a dial tone and can then place outgoing calls, at the callback service's discounted rates.

If you are a frequent global traveler you can opt for buying international cell phones with GSM technologies which will be able to operate on different frequency bands. A HopAbroad roaming SIM with your international cell phone is the very best way to stay in touch while travelling. It gives you a low cost per minute to call anywhere in the world and also gives you one single phone number that anyone can dial to reach you, at any time, in contrast with having different SIM cards in different part of the world.